doax2
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MSNBC wants mature sex (and more penis!) in games
Let's be honest: The mainstream press aren't exactly known for handling sexuality in video games with any amount of couth. But hey, neither are we! And if Winda Benedetti of MSNBC gets her way, we'll all be seeing a lot more loose skin. We're finding it hard to disagree with her when she says, "Adults in movies have sex. So why shouldn't adult characters in video games get it on or, you know, appear in their computer-generated birthday suits?" Bringing up the serially sensationalized Mass Effect sex scene, Benedetti calls it, "a sexual encounter between two adults that actually furthered the story and was tastefully depicted," while pointing out, "still, it was vilified by some in the media." Though we'd argue that the sex minigame found in the original God of War is clearly the most tasteful depiction of sexuality in a video game yet, Benedetti makes a good point. Couldn't we all stand for a little more context in our video game sexuality? Benedetti surmises that the entire industry could use some maturing to help handle this kind of content going forward -- and we're inclined to agree.
Microsoft bans sexy Xbox 360 theme
Apparently the 360 Queenz theme was a bit too hot and "provocative" for Microsoft, and they have been quashing the theme and asking people to take down the images of it on various websites. It must have ruffled someone's feathers along the way, or maybe it was just too hot to handle?For our two cents on the matter ... if we have M-rated video games, then why not M-rated themes? A gamer picture is one thing, since anybody can see it, but the only person seeing your theme is you, so what's all the hubbub? Based on the pictures we saw, the theme wasn't all that racy to begin with. You'll see more skin on the cover of Dead or Alive Xtreme 2.There's always the DIY option, and we've seen some pretty over-the-top self-made themes out there. What do you have on yours?
Games shipping this week: bouncy edition
The 360 holiday assault continues this week with several long awaited games. Chief among these -- and certainly not for its gameplay merits -- may be Dead or Alive Xtreme 2. We've covered its excessive bounciness before -- the infamous trailer generated many, many comments. Will the game succeed despite its shallow nature and godawful looking hair? Only time will tell.Other games of note this week include Sonic the Hedgehog and WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007. Also worth mentioning, Bionicle Heroes is made by Traveller's Tales, the folks behind the Lego Star Wars series. Can Bionicle Heroes live up to its cousin's success?Shipping this week: - Bionicle Heroes - Blitz: The League - Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 - Eragon - History Channel: Civil War - Pimp My Ride - Sonic the Hedgehog - World Championship Poker: All In - WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007So, who's getting what?
DOA's bouncing breasts to test "sex sells" cliche
Team Ninja's latest Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 trailer (available on Xbox Live Marketplace) has been called "too bouncy." Indeed, if you care to watch, you'll be transported to a fantasy island where unreal beauties frolic and dance, wrestle and massage, read and relax -- and bounce.Big boobs and bikinis are enlisted to sell all kinds of products, from magazines to music to beer. But can they sell games? Should we consider DOAX2's gross exaggeration of the adage "sex sells" to be pioneering?
New DOAX2 trailer pushes the limits
We never thought we'd say this, but the new Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 trailer may be too bouncy. Available on Marketplace right now (the old E3 trailer has been re-re-released as well), the trailer is very long and very bouncy. So bouncy that it's disturbing, and, dare we say it, unrealistic. But that's really what it's all about, right? Still, this trailer is naughty. Lei Fang on a stripper pole, a little girl on girl "back rub" action, and more tiny swimsuits than you can shake a stick at. Honestly, we wouldn't be surprised if DOAX2 becomes a media target when it ships this winter. Seriously, it's just south of actual porn. See what all the fuss is about after the break. Oh, and they're all technically wearing clothes, but it's still probably NSFW.
TGS: DOAX2 passes the "one hand" test
Let's be honest: there is no reason to play Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 other than to gawk at the pixelated softcore porn. The gameplay is Xtremely simplistic to the point of boredom. With that perspective in mind, we can safely say that DOAX2 is easily playable using only one hand (we'll let you make the next logical step about what your idle hand can do).We first tried our hand (har har) at the main game. With our middle and index finger we moved around our bubbly player, and our thumb moved between A and B buttons. To our knowledge, the shoulder buttons serve no purpose -- that, or they weren't needed to return the serves.After that we moved on to water sports. The Jet Ski minigame (image after the break) is a simplified Wave Race. You move between yellow and red buoys trying to stay in between in order to earn boosts, which is not hard to do as the buoys are widely spread apart. Again, our fingers used the joystick to turn. This time, A is accelerate and B moves the camera in front of you so you can stare at the player's other assets to make sure no one is tailing you. Because of the buttons' respective placement, we could simply lay our thumb down on both A and B at same time, saving us the effort of having to win the race in order to gaze longingly into the racer's exaggerated cleavage.Controlling your character takes about as much effort as fast forwarding through dialogue on a Skinemax film, which is only appropriate. DOAX2 fails as a game, but passes admirably as an interactive wet dream.
Microsoft TGS briefing video now available
If there is one completely memorable moment for us in the Microsoft TGS press briefing, it was seeing DOAX2 announced as a "sports" title. That ... is hilarious. Xbox.com has posted two videos of the Microsoft TGS briefing. One is the entire briefing, full of Japanese goodness, and the other is only Peter Moore's remarks. The whole conference clocks in at just under an hour. There are no trailers or anything we typically associate with press briefings so, if you don't speak Japanese, we'd suggest you stick with the Peter More video.The conference does a good job of emphasizing all things Japanese -- complete with Peter Moore humbling himself to Pac-Man creator, Toru Iwatani. Of course, Blue Dragon gets its fair share -- Sakaguchi-san talks it up for quite a while near the end. Perhaps the most bizarre bit is Microsoft's marketing slogan for Japan: "Do! Do! Do!" Let's hope that didn't come from the same marketing team that did all those "playtests" of the original Xbox control.We'll go ahead and say that things look better than they have in the past for MS in Japan. As usual, it's the games stupid, and Microsoft showed up with more actual Japanese titles than ever before. Will it help? Who knows, but they're definitely heading in the right direction.[Via Major Nelson]360 at the Tokyo Game Show:Today's Marketplace content, 9/21DOAX2 video makes us feel naughtyLost Odyssey intro videoVideo of Trusty BellSee Blue Dragon gameplay (finally)
TGS: DOAX2 video makes us feel naughty
The TGS video madness continues with this clip of Dead or Alive Xtreme 2. We all know DOAX2 is about watching digital hotties in swimsuits, but this is just south of ridiculous. Just when you thought Itagaki and friends couldn't get any raunchier (remember the E3 video?), they go and make this. Let's just say this: the video is technically safe for work, but don't let anyone catch you watching it. Before checking out the video, we would be remiss if we didn't note a few things. One, it looks like the hair physics have improved since DOA4. Two, the game should hit the States on November 15th (before Japan actually). Our Japanese is rusty, but we're guessing that the date mentioned for Europe was "coming soon" -- can anyone translate? Click onward if you dare; you have been warned.
Today's TGS Marketplace content
The first batch of Marketplace content has (mostly) gone live. For your downloading pleasure, the following is now available.DOA X2 E3 Trailer (Japan)Project Sylpheed Trailer (Japan)Tenchu Senran TrailerHalf-Life 2 - Episode 2 TrailerTGS Picture PackTenchu Senran Demo (Japan)There are also map packs available for BFMEII, though one of them -- Aragorn's Journey -- is supposed to be free, it's not working correctly right now. Don't download it or you will be charged. The other pack -- Northern Badlands -- is not supposed to be free so, you can grab it for 350 MS Points if you want. Also, as of this writing, the Half-Life 2 - Episode 2 trailer doesn't seem to be up. We're not really sure if this counts as TGS content, but several XBLA games have been updated to take advantage of the Vision camera.360 at the Tokyo Game Show:HD-DVD for $170, $250 Core w/ Blue Dragon1080p for 360!
DOAX2 and the importance of sunscreen
No, that X on Kasumi's stomach doesn't mark buried treasure -- and if it did, it certainly wouldn't be on her stomach. That X means only one thing, Kasumi has committed a fashion faux pas and allowed herself to get a tan line. Great. All anyone wanted was to relax with some nice, scantily-clad volleyball and, ahem, hip wrestling, and now we have to micro manage tans? Sheesh.Look on the bright side, if you get creative enough, maybe you can line the girls up and make it spell something.[Via Kotaku. Thanks Lorul2]
Start your day with DOAX2 scans
Xboxygen has scored some scans of DOAX2 from the latest Famitsu. To be honest, some of these pictures are downright shameful. But, what should we expect from a man who designs his games drunk? Take a look at the upper left corner of the first scan for a little scissor icon. Digital pin-ups? Just for a change of pace, the second scan features actual volleyball and jet skis.Anyone care to translate, or are the pictures universal?[Thanks, gaetge]
